More companies will soon be able to reap the benefits of the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol, as the CSAA moves into its next stage of deployment by extending the program to non-charter members.

So far, the 100 CSAA members that have helped fund the program have been able to contract and connect to the system, which is designed to increase the efficiency and reliability of emergency electronic signals form central stations to Public Safety Answering Points, commonly known as PSAPs. In total, 42 companies have contracted for connection, though some do business in areas that do not yet have an active PSAP.

Currently, seven PSAPs are enrolled in the ASAP program, with Washington, D.C. and Houston representing the largest urban areas. In a recent press release, the CSAA said it expects to add Boston and Seattle to the mix in the coming year, along with the entire state of Delaware.

Later that month, Guardian Protection Services, based in Warrendale, Pa., in conjunction with the CSAA announced it was coming online with the program in Richmond, Va., where it has a solid presence. Jason Bradley, director of central station operations at Guardian, told me that implementation in Washington, D.C. was the next step.

It’s no exaggeration to say broader adoption of the ASAP to PSAP program will transform the industry, making signal transmission a faster and more informative process. To be sure, the program is expanding at a steady pace, and I imagine it’ll be sooner than we think before dealers are going to expect centrals, where possible, to join the ranks.

General George W. Casey, the 36th chief of staff of the U.S. Army, will deliver the keynote address at the CSAA Annual Meeting, slated for Oct. 17-22 at the Fairmont Southampton in Bermuda.

Casey, who led the U.S. Army from April 2007 to 2011, commanded from 2007 to 2007 a multi-national force in Iraq, guiding a coalition of more than 30 countries through some of the most difficult stretches of the Iraq war, a news release from CSAA noted.

“General Casey has a unique story to share with our members,” Steve Doyle, CSAA EVP, said in the release. “His background and experience have formed the basis for his viewpoints on leadership, vision, organizational culture and leading transformational change. I know our members will be impressed with his insights and how they can use them to improve their own businesses.”

Since retiring from his post with the U.S. Army, Casey has lectured on leadership at Columbia, Yale, Denver University and the University of North Carolina business school, while also addressing a number of large corporations.

In addition to the keynote, the education sessions will focus on several themes germane to the monitoring world. Seminars on the schedule will deal with the rise of DIY and self-monitoring systems, monitoring and the Internet of Things phenomenon, and the continued value of central station alarm monitoring.

In the release, CSAA president Jay Hauhn said senior leadership from the national Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) first responder associations will be present, giving members the chance to talk industry issues with them one on one.

DOVER, Del.—The recent donation of a Farenhyt fire alarm and ECS system and the free installation that local company Advantech provided to Delaware Technical Community College’s Fire Protection Engineering Technology program benefits not only the college but also the industry, according to Advantech.

ROMEOVILLE, Ill.—Protection 1, a security company whose monitoring arm is CMS, is the latest central to go live with the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol program, according to an announcement from the CSAA.

Having written a report this week about SentryNet’s latest campaign to encourage dealers to add accounts and sell new services (while giving them the chance to earn tickets to a cruise), I came across news of another monitoring company making it a bit easier for dealers to do their jobs.

SecurTek, based in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, is offering customers air miles through a recently unveiled partnership with AIR MILES Reward Program. When customers sign standard monitoring contracts, they can now top-up their loyalty rewards tally to earn miles, according to a company statement.

New customers can earn 50 reward miles upon signing a 36- or 60-month contract, and then can earn an additional 50 reward miles on their contract anniversary date if they remain SecurTek customers.

Whether at events put on at industry tradeshows or through promotional campaigns, central stations go to great lengths not only to make dealers feel appreciated but to ensure they’re equipped with the knowledge they need to thrive in the current climate. It’s no surprise. In a boundary-less, IP-based environment where more and more centrals are looking to vault from regional players into national ones, competition is going to increase. As a result, central stations are going to explore new ways to engage dealers and stand out against competitors.